Habitat for Humanity Portland Region, an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, develops quality, affordable homes in partnership with qualified homebuyers, and sells those homes to homebuyers with an affordable mortgage loan. 

Habitat is committed to a Portland region that is affordable to families and individuals—not just today, but for generations to come. Our model allows Habitat homeowners to build equity in their homes, while ensuring that the home is affordable to the next buyer. This guarantees affordable neighborhoods into the future.

Habitat homeowner’s housing payments are kept affordable and set based on their income at the time of sale. This monthly amount will include the primary mortgage payment, homeowners insurance, possible homeowner association dues, interest, and property taxes. Habitat for Humanity provides additional subsidies and/or a second mortgages to cover the difference between what the buyer can afford in a first mortgage and the sales price of the home.

Our permanent affordability model uses a resale formula that provides sellers with 2% of the sales price each year, plus what they have paid towards their mortgage. This ensures that the homeowner can still build equity while the home remains permanently affordable to the next buyer. This guarantees affordable neighborhoods into the future.

Habitat for Humanity Portland Region offers affordable homeownership to homebuyers that meet the following program requirements: 

If you are interested in the Habitat for Humanity program and have reviewed the requirements to see if you qualify, the next step is to submit a pre-application. We only accept applications when we have properties available. 

Applications are only accepted during open application rounds. The first step is to submit a pre-application either online or on paper during an open application round. All pre-applications received during that time will be collected and assigned a random application number. Applications will be processed in order beginning with application number 1 and continuing through until all available homes have a qualified buyer. Along with the pre-application, applicants will be asked to submit additional information such as pay stubs, bank statements, and tax returns. Habitat staff will use that information, as well as information from the pre-application and a credit report to determine eligibility for our program.

We typically build two- to five-bedroom wood frame homes with approximately 900 to 1500 square feet. The square footage and amenities of remodeled homes vary. An electric or gas range, refrigerator, washer, dryer, and dishwasher are provided with most homes. Often Habitat homes or remodel homes are attached and share walls. Habitat homes can be condominiums, duplexes, multiplexes, or single detached dwellings. 

The location of the home is dependent upon where Habitat is building or remodeling houses. The locations available will usually be discussed during the homeownership application process. Habitat does not build custom homes. Habitat will choose the size of the home based on household size and makeup. We expect two children of the same gender to share a bedroom if they are close in age.

Only individuals who are currently living in the household can be considered when determining household size and the number of bedrooms the applicant qualifies for. A child is only considered in regard to household size if the applicant has at least 50% custody of that child. We do occasionally make exceptions and definitely want to make sure that household members are not discounted when inappropriate. If a person is pregnant during the application process, the unborn child will be counted towards the household size. Please be sure to explain any household size situations in your application. 

Homebuyers are in the program until their home has been built or remodeled; generally, this takes 12 to 24 months. Ideally, construction of a pre-approved homebuyer’s home begins within six months from the time of approval. Completion dates of the homes will vary and are subject to change. The construction process is complex with many variables including funding sources, the construction schedule and building requirements. This complexity makes it difficult to predict the length of time from pre-approval in the program to purchasing a home. 

Homebuyers complete a total of 200 sweat equity hours. Sweat equity refers to the actual hands-on involvement of Habitat homebuyers in the construction of their own homes, as well as participation in other Habitat and community activities. All sweat equity hours must be completed before pre-approved homebuyers purchase their home. Additional program requirements include homeownership education classes and community engagement events. Class topics include: Financial Readiness, Protecting your Investments, Condos and Homeowner Associations, Conflict Resolution, and Mortgage Education. All classes will be provided by Habitat free of charge.